endeavour solar powered racing car

‘endeavour’ cambridge university’s eco racing car showcases cutting edge technology image © lovegrove studio all images courtesy cambridge university

‘endeavour’ is a solar powered racing car developed by cambridge university eco racing (CUER) student team. last week it hit the road for the first time, with a test drive at ford’s dunton technical centre.

using the same power as a hairdryer the solar-powered racing car cruises at 60mph. the car is being touted as britain’s brightest hope for the global green challenge; a gruelling 3,000km race straight across the australian outback held from october 25th-31st.

named after the famous ship with which captain cook sailed from england to australia, the car’s power comes entirely from solar energy captured by a 6m² covering of high efficiency silicon cells. underneath this solar ‘skin’, however, the car is essentially an ultra-efficient electric vehicle, which designers say could provide a model for other forms of green transportation.

four student drivers will pilot the vehicle across the outback, working in four-hour shifts to cope with the intense heat. during the race, however, the drivers will only have to steer the car and stay alert, as it is fitted with an advanced cruise control system which will automatically adjust its speed according to road conditions and weather forecasts.

the vehicle, which is one of many projects marking the university’s 800th anniversary this year, has already won the praise of formula 1 driver jenson button,who unveiled it at the goodwood festival of speed earlier this year and praised its ‘impressive’ design.

‘endeavour’ image © lovegrove studio

‘endeavour’ image © lovegrove studio

endeavour at festival of speed image © matt johnson

jenson button’s signature on endeavour image © ross atkins